Note: Javascript is disabled or is not supported by your browser. For this reason, some items on this page will be unavailable. For more information about this message, please visit this page: About CDC.gov.

On This Page

NATIONAL OCCUPATIONAL MORTALITY SURVEILLANCE (NOMS)

About NOMS

NIOSH NOMS data can be used to monitor trends or patterns over time in mortality by usual occupation or industry. When repeated at intervals, it is known as occupational mortality surveillance. Occupational mortality surveillance can provide suggestions about the kinds of jobs and worksites that are more hazardous or may be linked to higher mortality risks.
We have posted the results of NOMS data analysis for two different time periods:

1999, 2003-2004, 2007

1985-1998

The results may be browsed using the
Charts for Cancer and Chronic Disease buttons. Explanations of NOMS data collection, statistical analysis, the database, and industry and occupation coding may be found in the Methods page. Maps that show the US states that contributed data to NOMS may be viewed below.
Proportionate mortality ratios (PMRs) are population-based estimates of rates that can identify new associations that point to opportunities for research and prevention activities. Identification of trends for known associations can assist in evaluation of prevention activities. Epidemiologists and other public health scientists have used NOMS occupational mortality surveillance data to profile cause-specific mortality by industry and occupation. A list of many of these reports may be found at Publications. A suggested citation is provided for use when citing NOMS data.

Interpretation of PMRs
Users of this website should keep in mind that PMRs are estimates of rates and should be interpreted with caution. PMRs are not meant to be stand-alone estimates of death rates. Because PMRs may be biased statistically, they should be interpreted in context with other, relevant scientific data. These could include occupational exposures, biologic plausibility, and the results of other relevant studies. Epidemiologists and other researchers use the findings reported from NOMS data as an initial step in deciding to investigate them more fully by designing an epidemiologic study. For more information, see the Methods page.

Non Release of NOMS Data
The results of the NOMS data analysis are provided through use of the PMR charts. However, NOMS data may not be released due to data agreements with the US states and the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS).